Trump Threatens To Not Invite Cruz, Kasich To Republican Convention

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are all-too-familiar with criticism from Donald Trump from their time in the Republican presidential primaries. But that criticism hasn’t stopped just because they’re out of the race.

Trump has put his former opponents on notice that unless they publicly endorse him, they will not be invited to speak at the Republican convention in July.

Though Trump might have assumed his opponents would eventually agree to his terms, both Cruz and Kasich have remained unfazed by Trump’s threats and the prospect they won’t receive an invitation.

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Spokespersons for both former Republican candidates have made it clear that neither of them are even interested in attending, much less speaking, at Trump’s Republican convention next month.

According to the New York Times, Catherine Frazier, a spokeswoman for Cruz, said the Texas senator had no expectation about receiving a speaking slot.

“We have not sought, nor are we expecting, a speaking slot at the convention,” said Kasich spokesman Chris Schrimpf.

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He went on to say that Kasich was essentially indifferent to the whole thing.

Both Cruz and Kasich are standing strong, but with the Convention being held in Cleveland this year, there is a little more for Kasich to consider as the governor of Ohio.

Typically at political conventions, the governor of the host state plays a major role in the festivities. But in a political year in which the unprecedented has become common, it seems likely that Kasich will not appear at all.

In fact, an ever-growing pool of Republicans — including governors, senators, members of congress as well as some sponsors — are choosing not to attend or support the convention.

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So it’s safe to say that Cruz and Kasich will not be alone in their absence at this year’s convention.